NBA SANCTIONED SUMMER PRO LEAGUE TRYOUTS HOSTED BY THE BUFFALO 716ERS

The Buffalo 716ers are returning to Los Angeles this summer to participate in the NBA sanctioned Los Angeles Summer Pro League (SPL). The team will be holding open tryouts starting on Saturday, May 16th at The Park School of Buffalo, 4625 Harlem Rd., Buffalo, NY, 14226.

There will be three total tryout sessions, two sessions on Saturday, one on Sunday. Interested players are only required to attend one session. The sessions have been designed to give each participant the maximum opportunity to showcase their talent.

The registration fee is $100 in advance, or $150 at the door. An important note: college athletes with eligibility remaining are ineligible to participate in the tryouts. Advance registration can be completed at Buffalo716ers.net

This is the second time the 716ers will participate in the Los Angeles Summer Pro League. Head coach and team owner fielded a team in the summer of 2013. Slaughter received the SPL “Coach of the Year” award in 2013.

“This tournament can really open doors for the players. Last time we were out there two of our players received private invitations to work out with NBA D-League teams. Not to mention the coaches, agents, and scouts that attend. This is a huge opportunity,” said Slaughter.

Amir Billups (SUNY Fredonia) averaged 22.8 points per game over five games. This was enough to get the attention of the D League Bakersfield Jam and Mexico’s LNBP league. Billups missed the team’s first game due to a flight delay. In Billups first game in the tournament he scored 35 points, including 8 three-point shots. Billups earned the SPL “Best 1-2-3 Backcourt” award. Billups signed a contract and played with the LNBP before returning to Buffalo to play two seasons with the 716ers. Billups was entertaining offers to play in Europe at the time of his passing in February 2015. Billups lost his life in a multi-car pile up during a snowstorm in Morrow County, OH.

Ajay Rutledge (Daemen College) also secured a private workout with the Bakersfield Jam as a result of this tournament. Rutledge joined Billups for the 716ers inaugural 2013 – 2014 season. Rutledge spent the 2014 – 2015 season playing for the AMK Bravehearts of the Singapore Basketball League (SBL). The Bravehearts made it to the championship game, but fell 89 – 81 to the Singapore Falcons.

The final roster spots for the 2015 tournament will be announced no later than June first.